By IVES GALARCEP
The Portland Timbers ran their league-high unbeaten streak to nine matches this week, and no player had a bigger role in that streak continuing than Rodney Wallace.
The Costa Rican attacker had a major hand in both results for the Timbers this week, setting up the loan goal in Wednesday’s draw vs. FC Dallas before adding a goal and assist in Sunday’s win vs. Chivas USA. The performances helped make him the easy choice for SBI MLS Player of the Week for Week 11.
Wallace beat out teammate Diego Valeri, Seattle’s Lamar Neagle and Montreal’s Marco DiVaio for this week’s honors.
What did you think of Wallace’s performances this week? Which player impressed you the most in MLS last week?
Share your thoughts below.
Surprised not to see Bruin in the conversation, but great week from Wallace. Totally deserved!
Wallace has been great recently. He had a few nightmares when played out of position by John Spenser and Gavin Wilkerson due to lack of investment in right backs. Rodney is a natural winger. You only need to see where he plays on the Costa Rican national team when he scored against the USMNT. Same people who turned on him in Portland are now doing the same with Kalif Alhassan another great tallent.
Having seen his Maryland team play live a couple of times, I made the draft day prediction that Wallace would be a better pro than teammate Omar Gonzalez. I’m having fun pretending that terrible prediction is still alive.
I think will bruin was better this week
Makes you wonder how many other players like him are out there, and yet somehow the quality just hasnt shown through. I would love to know how Porter evaluates players, what he looks for.
Bang Bang, Wallace the warrior!!
I’m not going to lie, I hoped that Wallace would go in the offseason. His performances in the last two seasons ranged from spectacularly bad (when he was played by Spencer as an outside back) to to “Meh.” I don’t know whether he’s finally in his more natural position, or Porter has instilled something in him, or whether he’s just eating his Wheaties, but he’s one of the Timbers’ bright stars right now. I’m selfishly not looking forward to the USMNT facing him in the upcoming Costa Rica WCQ.
Is this his second SBI pOW Ives ? Wow Rodney must be butter because he is on a roll.